Growth of the Chinese EmpireSocial Studies Chapter 12

Section 1Shi Huangdi Unites China

Anticipatory SetIn Chapter 11 we learned how China reacted to the Era of Warring States.

Now we will learn how China was reunited under a single ruling group…

StandardsH-SS 6.6.5 –List the policies and achievements of the emperor Shi Huangdi in unifying northern China under the Qin dynasty

The Big IdeaQin armies united China and founded a new dynasty.

Qin ruler Shi Huangdi expanded and unified China into one people under one government.

Key TermsShi Huangdi (shee hwahng DEE)

Chen Sheng (CHEHN shehng)

Qin (Chin)

Input: Shi Huangdi Unites ChinaDuring the Era of the Warring States, many leaders tried to unify China. But geography and opposition from rival warlords made it difficult to unite the country under one rule. Despite these challenges, one kingdom did finally succeed in uniting China. Its leader founded the ruling family known as the Qin Dynasty.

The Rise of QinConflicts between warring states

divided China for more than 200 years!

By the end of this several powerful kingdoms had emerged

Qin was the most powerful

The Qin Kingdom Qin was a mountain kingdom in

northwestern China

Qin rulers built a strong government

Were great warriors Fought with swords and crossbows, skilled

on horseback

The Qin Unite China One by one the Qin brought down rival

kingdoms

Ruler thought “king” was too small a title for the ruler of such a vast empire

Named himself “Shi Huangdi” – which means “first emperor”

The Rise of the Qin

Read The Rise of the Qin on pages 326-327 of your

textbook

Qin Policies and AchievementsShi Huangdi faced many challenges

Empire was divided into distinct regions

Customs and languages varied

Threat of barbarians and rebellion

The Great WallBegan the largest public works

project in history – The Great Wall of China

Wall’s purpose was to defend the empire from attack by nomads living on China’s northern borders

A Legalist Government Shi Huangdi based his empire’s

government on Legalist ideas

Introduced the concept of centralization (or a central governing system)

Organized China into 36 provinces Each was divided into counties

A Legalist Government

To prevent rebellion, Shi Huangdi forced thousands of noble families to relocate to the capital city

Qin Policies and Achievements

Read Qin Policies and Achievements on pages 327 –

329 of your textbook.

Harsh LawsEmperor established a

uniform legal code across his empire

Applied equally to nobles AND commoners

Uniform Standards Emperor standardized many aspects of

daily life

Single written language

Uniform coins

Standard length for axles on carriages (so roads would be uniform)

Thought ControlTried to control Chinese thought

by adopting a policy of censorship – or banning ideas he found dangerous or offensive

Burned all books that did not support his policies

The Fall of the Qin Dynasty In 210 B.C., Emperor Shi Huangdi

died

His dynasty collapsed three years later

Was undone by the harshness of its laws

The Fall of the Qin Dynasty Rebellion was sparked by a soldier

named Chen Sheng

Rebels joined together to overthrow the Qin Dynasty

Then began fighting amongst themselves, and China slide back into chaos…

Qin Policies and Achievements

Read Qin Policies and Achievements on pages 330 –

332 of your textbook

Check for Understanding

Which Dynasty unified China?

What was its undoing?

Check for Understanding

Which Dynasty unified China?The Qin Dynasty unified China.

What was its undoing?The harsh Legalistic laws of the Qin Dynasty was its undoing.

Modeling/Guided/Independent

Complete the Modeling, Guided Practice, and Independent Practice Sections of your Social Studies 12-1 Worksheet.